Last Friday of May declared ‘Gabii sa Kabilin’
THE Cebu City Council yesterday approved an ordinance designating the last Friday of May as Gabii sa Kabilin or Night of Heritage.
The ordinance proposed by Councilor Margot Osmeña was approved during the regular session.
“What strikes me about the Gabii sa Kabilin is that it appeals to the youth,” said Osmeña, who chairs the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission.
She urged people to participate in this “joyful event of knowing more about our rich culture and heritage without sitting in the classroom.”
The event, inspired by a tradition in Germany and other European countries where they declare an open house of all museums, has been mounted every year in Cebu CIty as a collaboration by a growing number of museums and heritage groups starting in 2006 led by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
Osmeña said this year “we expect it to be more lively” with 22 participating museums and heritage sites in Mandaue and Cebu Cities which will be open from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight.
Osmeña said the event is “not static.” “It’s always growing every year as more and more stakeholders are participating.”
“My concern is there are so many participants now. There’s really not enough time (to see everything) so you really have to choose the performers to participate this Friday,” Osmeña said.
For a P150 ticket, a visitor can enter all participating sites.
The Gabii sa Kabilin may expand to a two-day celebration next year, she said.
Cebu Daily News in partnership with RAFI came out with guide maps for themed visits to 1. art galleries and alternative spaces 2. museums 3. heritage structures and 4. child-friendly activities.
This year’s participating museums include the Don Sergio Osmeña Memorabilia and Art Gallery, Museo Sugbo, Casa Gorordo Museum, University of San Carlos Museum, Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, Museo Parian sa Sugbo, University of Southern Philippines Foundation – Rizaliana Museum, Cathedral Museum of Cebu, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Museum, and the Mandaue City Plaza museum.
